Vintage A.G. Coes and Co adjustable monkey wrench

Early A.G. Coes & Co. adjustable “monkey” wrench from Worcester, Massachusetts, about 12” long with its original turned wood handle. Cleaned, lubricated, and waxed for smooth operation while preserving the honest shop wear—ideal as a light-duty user or characterful display piece for a workshop, office, or industrial-style decor.

Tool details

• Maker: A.G. Coes & Co., Worcester, Mass.
• Type: Screw-adjusting monkey wrench with wood handle
• Overall length: approx. 12 in.
• Markings: Arched “A.G. COES & CO / WORCESTER / MASS” stamp on fixed jaw; triangle patent logo with steam-engine governor on the opposite side.
• Materials: forged steel head and shank, steel adjusting screw, hardwood handle with metal ferrules.

Approximate era (Etsy decade choice)

• This style and patent logo correspond to Coes patents from the 1870s–1880s. 
• Production window likely spans late 1870s into early 1890s.

Condition notes

• Jaws travel smoothly through full range and stay reasonably parallel.
• Jaw faces show dings, light rounding, and use marks, but clamp flat enough for light service.
• Steel surfaces have a stable grey patina with scattered shallow pitting and plenty of honest shop wear.
• Original turned wood handle shows small dents, stains, and an age crack along one side. The crack has been stabilized with thin CA glue; there is no noticeable movement now, but it should still be treated as a light-duty handle rather than for maximum torque.

Restoration performed by Moab Maverick Tools

• Dry wire-brushed and hand-scraped to remove loose rust and paint spatters while preserving patina and all markings.
• Cleaned and lubricated the screw and sliding jaw for smooth adjustment.
• Lightly dressed jaw edges to remove sharp burrs without erasing history.
• Stabilized the long handle crack with thin CA glue, then hand-sanded lightly to keep the original shape and character.
• Handle treated with a thin oil-and-wax finish for a warm, dry feel in the hand.
• Steel surfaces wiped with light oil and finished with paste wax for rust resistance.

Ideal uses

• Functional light-duty shop wrench for setup work and gentle clamping.
• Display piece for a machinist’s office, garage, man cave, or industrial-style shelf.
• Great gift for a mechanic, engineer, or Coes / Massachusetts tool collector.

Shipping & packaging

• Ships carefully wrapped in paper and padding to protect both steel and handle.
• I include a printed care sheet with every tool so you know how to maintain the finish.

Bullet highlights

• Antique A.G. Coes & Co. adjustable monkey wrench
• About 12" long with original wood handle
• Classic triangle patent logo with steam-engine governor
• Smooth-running screw and sliding jaw, jaws still meet well
• Cleaned, lubricated, and waxed – ready to use or display
• Handle crack professionally stabilized; suitable for light-duty use
• Rich, worn patina with crisp maker stamps
• Perfect for machinist or mechanic decor
• Lovely addition to a Coes or early wrench collection
• Ships padded with printed care sheet included